Maravi

HH describes Rupiah’s govt as foolish

HH describes Rupiah’s govt as foolish
Written by George Chellah
Thursday, October 08, 2009 5:07:26 PM

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday described President Rupiah Banda's administration as a foolish government. And Hichilema said President Banda was a champion of corruption. Addressing a press conference at the UPND secretariat, Hichilema, who was flanked by Patriotic Front (PF) vice-president Guy Scott condemned the government's recent attacks on donors.

He questioned the logic behind the government's insults on donors when it was the same donors that were providing funds for projects such as the construction of the Mongu-Kalabo Road.

“Such a foolish government. How can you insult donors? I have never seen that. I say to the donors we shall talk,” he said.

Hichilema maintained that the donors should desist giving the government money through the budgetary support because it risked being abused.

"Give money to Zambians by funding projects directly. Don't give money to a corrupt system. We have lost confidence in this government, the international community has lost confidence in this government," Hichilema said.

"We want to protect Zambians not Rupiah Banda and his clan of thieves. I hear he will have a press conference; I challenge him to tell us how he is going to fight corruption."

He said there was leadership failure in the country.

"I want to state that Rupiah Banda is a champion of corruption," he said.

Hichilema said the problems of corruption, failure to observe the tenets of democracy were a result of the failure to observe the rule of law.

"I’m appealing to your individual consciences, do you like what is happening? So you must make a decision at an individual level. I have made a decision that I will not tolerate the dictatorship of Rupiah Banda and his Mangani. You must change how you react, how you perceive good governance," Hichilema said.

"Let’s not hide behind [Munali PF member of parliament] Mumbi Phiri, let’s decide individually. What's wrong with our generation? Our forefathers fought with limited resources."

He said honking was a peaceful demonstration of disgust.

"If we can't do that on Friday because the police are saying it’s illegal, we must prepare ourselves to demonstrate with or without a permit. We must prepare ourselves to confront a dictatorship," he said.

He called on the police to apply the law equitably.

Hichilema said the UPND and PF pact was here to stay.

“We have made mistakes in the past and we shall learn from our past. This country is bigger than Hakainde. I have drifted to a point of national unity,” he said.

He called on people not to worry about UPND Namwala member of parliament Major Robbie Chizyuka. Hichilema said he was embarrassed that one of his members of parliament could praise President Banda's speech.

“Just over K10 million, come home I can give you 10 animals and you can raise that. You say you control Southern Province, we shall see in Namwala," he said.

Hichilema also introduced Francis Simenda as the new UPND vice-president for political.

And Simenda announced that most members of the United Liberal Party (ULP) had crossed over to the pact.

Meanwhile, Scott said it was disappointing that the civil society went to meet Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde.

However, Scott said honking would continue this Friday.

Civil society organisations last week resolved to honk and whistle every Friday to persuade the government to appeal former president Frederick Chiluba’s acquittal.

However, the organisations on Tuesday held a meeting with Kabonde where he pleaded with them to stop honking but instead use other forms of protest.

Labels: GUY SCOTT, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 4:08 PM